Mechanical stoker.



No. 770,143. I PATENTED 8131 11351904. A. E. WOODMANSBE.

MECHANICAL STOKER.

' APPLICATION FILED MAE. 4, 1904. N0 MODEL. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

QOOOOOOOOQOOOOOOOGOOOO Witgesses: I lrgvelgton.

PATENTED SEPT. 13, 1904,

A. E. WOODMANSEE. MECHANICAL STOKER. APPLIGATINFII-ED MAR.4, 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0 MODEL.

llgvergfor Wit esses: /fiZa. M

7 PATENTED SEPT. 13, 1904.

A. E. WOODMANSEE. MECHANICAL STOKER.

APPLIOATIOI 21mm 3.4, 1'904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

7 NO 110mm.

Witnesses:

Patented September 13, 1904.

P TENT rricE.

ARNOLD E. WOODMANSEE, OF OONSOCKET, SOUTH DAKOTA.

MECHANICAL STOKER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 770,143, dated September 13, 1904;.

Application filed March 4, 1904. Serial No. 196,561. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARNOLD E. VVOODMAN- SEE, a citizen of the United States, residing at VVoonsocket, in the county of Sanborn and State of South Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanical Stokers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in mechanical stokers for straw-burning furnaces and the like.

The objects of this invention are, first, to provide an improved stoker which shall automatically feed an even amount of fuel, such as straw or like material, to a furnace; second, to provide an improved stoker for strawburning furnaces and the like which shall require a minimum amount of attention; third, to provide an improved stoker for strawburners which is particularly adapted for use on traction threshing-engines; fourth, to provide an improved stoker for feeding straw and like materials to furnaces which is simple in structure and operation and one which is durable in use and not likely to get out of repair.

Further objects and objects relating to structural details will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

' Theinvention is clearly defined, and pointed outin the claims. V I

A structure embodying the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanyin g drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a detail side elevation view of my improved stoker, the same being illustrated in connection with a furnace or fireboX of an engineboiler. Fig. 2 is a detail vertical sectional view taken on a line corresponding to line 2 2 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a detail sectional View taken on the broken line 3 3 of Fig. 1, the gears 76 and 7c and the idler Gr being omitted. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on a line corresponding to line 1 4 of Fig. 1, showing the manner of supporting the hopper C and its relation to tail sectional view taken on line 7 7 of Fig. 1,

showing details of the means for converting the reciprocatory motion of the piston-rod to rotary motion. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 9,

showing structural details of the feed-bars h and the supports therefor. Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view taken on a line corresponding to line 9 9 of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on a line corresponding to-line 1O 10 of Fig. 3, showing the structure of the feed-bars M.

In the drawings the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section-lines, and similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, the fire-box or furnace A, which is of the usual or any desired construction, is provided with an outwardly-projecting casing B about the door thereof. Supported within the casing B are fluted feed-rollers B B. The shaft 6 of the lower feed-roller B is supported in suitable bearings in the wall of the casing B. The shaft 6 of the upper feed-roller B is arranged in a slot-like bearing, so that it is free to move up and down. A hopper C is pivotally supported on the casing B. This is accomplished by hinge members J, which are secured to :the sides of the hopper and engage suitable journals on the casing B, as clearly appears in Fig. 4:.

Carried by the hopper C is an engine-cylind er D,which is connected to a suitable steam- .supply. The piston-rod D is provided with L i i ratchet-wheel by 'the pistonrod. Suitable springs are provided for keeping the pawls in engagement with the ratchet-wheel. (See Figs. 1 and 4.) A sprocket-wheel g is connected to the ratchet-wheel g. These wheels g and g are preferably made integral, as clearly appears in Fig. 7.

A suitable driving-chain G is provided. This chain is adapted to drive the sprocket 0 on the shaft or axle 0. The axle 0 coincides with the axis of the pivot of the hopper C on the casing B. (See Fig. 4:.) Secured to the sprocket-wheel c is a gear 0, adapted to mesh with the transfer-gear f and the gear 5 on the shaft 5 of the feed-roll B. The gear f is mounted on a suitable journal f, projecting from the casing B. The gear f meshes with the gear 5 on the shaft Z) of the feed-roll B. Thus connected the feed-rolls B B are driven in 'the proper direction.

Arranged in suitable bearings at the inner end of the hopper are crank-shafts H h. Carried by these crank-shafts are downwardlyfacing feed-bars M. Adjustably secured to the feed-bars M are plates 171., having notches or teeth in their outer edges, as clearly appears in Figs. 2 and 9. These bars m are provided with inwardly-extending feet-like portions m. The crank-shafts H h are so arranged that the feed-bars M are supported at the inner end of the hopper. The crank-shaft H is provided with a driving-sprocket H. The sprocket H is driven byasuitable driving-chain H. The sprocket-chain H is driven by the sprocket I, which is connected to the sprocket I. over which the driving-chain G is passed. The sprocket I is supported on a suitable journal I, projecting from the side of the hopper.

Transversely arranged across the bottom of the hopper C are crank-shafts K K, on which the upwardly-facing toothed feed-bars M are carried. These feed-bars are arranged so that their inner ends are adjacent to the feed-rollers B B. The crank-shaft K is driven by the gear is, which is in turn driven by the gear 7c on the journal Z. (See Fig. 1.) The gear in" is connected to the sprocket Z, which is driven by the driving-chain G. An adjustably-supported idler G is provided for adjusting the tension on the driving-chain G.

In operation the hopper C may be'filled with straw or other like material to be burned. The same is carried inwardly by the feed-bars M toward the inner end of the hopper. The auxiliary feed-bars M feed the straw downwardly onto the inner ends of the feed-bars M, so that it is positively carried into the feed-rolls and by the feed-rolls delivered to the fire-box. By this arrangement an even positive feed is secured. The feed-rollers B B are located just at the edge of the fire-box, so that the straw is delivered into the fire-box thereby.

My improved stoker does not require the constant attention of an attendant, as the hopper may be filled and the furnace will be fed evenly until the supply is exhausted. As the material is carried forward positively by the feed-bars, the device operates successfully on varying lengths of material. The hopper C being pivoted may be adjusted up and down, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1, as may suit the particular requirements. A counterbalance X is provided for the hopper. (See Fig. 1.) As the pivot of the hopper C and the shaft 0 of the driving-gear for the feed-rollers coincide, the hopper may be adjusted without variation in the tension of the driving-chain G.

While I prefer to drive my improved stoker by a special cylinder carried by the hopper, as illustrated, I desire to remark that other driving means might be provided and satisfactory results be secured. However, by this arrangement no changes or adjustments are necessary when the position of the hopper is changed, as for roadwork in traction-engines or the like.

I have illustrated and described my improved stoker in the form preferred by me on account of its structural simplicity. I am, however, aware that it is capable of considerable structural variation without departing from myinvention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is V 1. The combination of a fire-box; a casing about the door thereof; a pair of fluted feed' rollers adapted to deliver to said fire-box, supported in suitable bearings on said casing; a hopper pivotally supported on said casing; an engine-cylind er carried by said hopper; a piston-rod; a ratchet-Wheel; a pair of oppositelyarranged pawls carried by said piston-rod adapted to engage said'ratchet-wheel; a pair of crank-shafts arranged in the lower portion of said hopper; upward ly-facing toothed feedbars carried by said crank-shafts; a pair of crank-shafts arranged at the inner end of said hopper; downwardly facing toothed feedbars, having inwardly-projecting portions at their lower ends, carried thereby; a sprocketwheel carried by said casing, the axis of which coincides with the pivot-axis of said hopper; suitable gear connections from said sprocketwheel to said feed-rollers; a driving-chain; and suitable driving connections from said crank-shafts to said driving-chain, all coacting for the purpose specified.

2. The combination of a fire-box; a casing about the door thereof; a pair of fluted feedrollers adapted to deliver to said fire-box, supported in suitable bearings on said casing; a hopper pivotally supported on said casing; an engine-cylinder carried by said hopper; a piston-rod; a ratchet-wheel; a pair of oppositelyarranged pawls carried by said piston-rod adapted to engage said ratchet-wheel; a pair of crank-shafts arranged in the lower portion bars carried by said crank-shafts; a pair of crank-shafts arranged at the inner end of said hopper; downwardly-facing toothed feed-bars carried thereby; a sprocket-wheel carried by said casing, the axis of which coincides with the pivot-axis of said hopper; suitable gear connections from said sprocket-wheel to said feedrollers; a driving-chain; and suitable driving connections from said crank-shafts to said driving-chain; all coacting for the purpose specified.

3. The combination of a fire-box; a casing about the door thereof; a pair of fluted feedrollers adaptedto deliver to said fire-box, supported in suitable bearings on said casing; a hopper pivotally supported on said casing; a pair of crank-shafts arranged at the inner end of said hopper; downwardly-facing toothed bars, having inwardly-projecting portions at their lower ends, carried thereby; feeding means in the lower part of said hopper cooperating with said downwardly-facing toothed bars; a sprocket-wheel carried by said casing, the axis of which coincides with the pivotaxis of said hopper; suitable gear connections from said sprocketwheel to said feed-rolls; a motor carried by said hopper; a chain driven by said motor; and suitable connections from said crank-shafts to said chain, all coacting for the purpose specified.

4. The combination of a fire-box; a casing about the door thereof; a pair of fluted feedrollers adapted to deliver to said fire-box, supported in suitable bearings on said casing; a hopper pivotally supported on said casing; a pair of crank-shafts arranged at the inner end of said hopper; downwardly-facing toothed bars, carried thereby; feeding means in the lower part of said hopper cooperating with the said downwardly-facing bars; a sprocket-i wheel carried by said casin'g,the axis of which coincides with the pivot-axis of said hopper; suitable gear connections from said sprocketwheel to said feed-rollers; a motor carried by said hopper; a chain for said sprocket-wheel driven by said motor and suitable connections from said crank-shafts to said chain, all coacting for the purpose specified.

5. The combination of a fire-box; a'casing about the door thereof; a pair of fluted feedrollers adapted to deliver to said fire-box, supported in suitable bearings on said casing; a hopper pivotally supported on said casing; a pair of crank-shafts arranged at the inner end of said hopper; downwardly-facing toothed feed-bars having inward ly-projecting portions at their lower ends carried thereby; feeding means in the lower part of said hopper cooperating with the downwardly-facing toothed bars; a sprocket-wheel carried by said casing the axis of which coincides with the pivotaxis of said hopper; suitable gear connections from said sprocket-wheel to said feed-rollers;

a dri ving-chain; and suitable connections from .j said crank-shafts to said driving-chain, all coacting for the p urpose specified.

6. The combination of a fire-box; a casing about the door thereof; a pair of fluted feedrollers adapted to deliver to said fire-box, supported in suitable bearings on said casing; a V

hopper pivotally supported on said casing; a pair of crank-shafts arranged at the inner end of said hopper; downwardly-facing toothed feed-bars, carried thereby; feeding means in the lower part of said hopper cooperating with the downwardly-facing toothed bars; a sprocket-Wheel carried by said casing, the axis of which coincides with the pivot-axis of said hopper; suitable gear connections from said sprocket-wheel to said feed-rollers; a driving-chain; and suitable connections from said crank-shafts to said driving-chain, all coacting for the purpose specified.

7. The combination of a fire-box; a casing about the door thereof; a pair of feed-rollers adapted to deliver to said fire-box supported in suitable bearings in said casing; a hopper; a pair of crank-shafts arranged in the lower portion of said hopper; upwardly-facing toothed feed-bars, carried by said crank-shafts; a pair of crank-shafts, arranged at the inner end of said hopper; downwardly-facing toothed feedbars, having inwardly-projecting portions at their lower ends carried thereby; said feed- 1 bars coacting to deliver to said feed-rollers; a motor carried by said hopper; and suitable driving connections, for the purpose specified.

8. The combination of a firebox; a casing about the door thereof; a pair of feed-rollers adapted to deliverto said fire-box supported in suitable bearings in said casing; a hopper; a -pair of crank-shafts arranged in the lower portion of said hopper; upwardly-facing toothed feed-bars, carried by said crank-shafts; a pair of crank-shafts, arranged at the inner end of said hopper; downwardly-facing toothed feedbars carried thereby, said feed-bars coacting to deliver to said feed-rollers; a motor carried by said hopper; and suitable driving connections, for the purpose specified.

9. The combination ofa fire-box; a casing about the door thereof; a pair of feed-rollers adapted to deliver to said fire-box supported in suitable bearings in said casing; a hopper; a pair of crank-shafts arranged in thelower portion of said hopper; upwardly-facing toothed feed-bars, carried by said crank-shafts; a pair of crank-shafts, arranged at the inner end of said hopper; downwardly-facing toothed feedbars, having inwardly-projecting portions at their lower ends, carried thereby, said feedbars coacting to deliver to said feed-rollers; and suitable driving connections, for the purpose specified. r

10. The combination of a fire-box; a casing about the door thereof; a pair'of feed-rollers adapted to deliver to said fire-box supported in suitable bearings in said casing; a hopper; a

pair of crank-shafts arranged in thelower portion of said hopper; upwardly-facing toothed feed-bars, carried by said crank-shafts; a pair of crank-shafts, arranged at the inner end of said hopper; downwardly-facing toothed feedbars having inwardly-projecting portions at their lower ends, carried thereby, said feedbars coacting to deliver to said feed-rollers; and suitable driving connections for said crank-shafts and said feed-rollers, for the purpose specified.

11. The combination of a fire-box; a casing about the door thereof; a pair of feed-rollers adapted to deliver to said fire-box supported in suitable hearings in said casing; a hopper; a pair of crank-shafts arranged in the lower portion of said hopper; upwardly-facing toothed feed-bars, carried by said crank-shafts, said feed-bars coacting to deliver to said feed-rollers; and suitable driving connections for said crank-shafts and said feed-rollers, for the purpose specified.

12. The combination of a fire-box; a pair of feed-rollers adapted to deliver to said fire-box supported in suitable bearings thereon; ahopper; an engine-cylinder carried by said hopper; a pair of crank-shafts arranged in the lower portion of said hopper; upwardly-facing toothed feed-bars, carried by said crankshafts; a pair of crank-shafts arranged at the inner end of said hopper; downwardly-facing toothed feed-bars, carried thereby, said feedbars coacting to deliver to said feed-rollers; and suitable driving connections for said crank-shafts and feed-rollers, for the purpose specified.

13. The combination of a fire-box; a pair of feed-rollers adapted to deliver to said fire-box supported in suitable bearings thereon; a hopper; a pair of crank-shafts arranged in the lower portion of said hopper; upwardly-facing toothed feed-bars, carried by said crankshafts; a pair of crank-shafts, arranged at the inner end of said hopper; downwardly-facing toothed feed-bars, carried thereby, said feedbars coacting to deliver to said feed-rollers; a motor carried by said hopper; and suitable driving connections for said crank-shafts and feed-rollers, for the purpose specified.

14. The combination of a fire-box; a pair of feed-rollers adapted to deliver to said fire-box supported in suitable bearings thereon; a hopper; a pair ofcrankshafts arranged in the lower portion of said hopper; upwardly-facing toothed feed-bars, carried by said crankshafts; a pair of crank-shafts, arranged at the inner end of said hopper; downwardly-facing toothed feed-bars carried thereby, said feedbars coacting to deliver to said feed-rollers; and suitable driving connections for said crank-shafts and feed-rollers, for the purpose specified.

15. The combination of a fire-box; a pair of feed-rollers adapted to deliver to said fire-box supported in suitable bearings thereon; a hopper; a pair of crank-shafts arranged in the lower portions of said hopper; upwardly-facing toothed bars, carried by said crank-shafts; a pair of crank-shafts, arranged at the inner end of said hopper; downwardly-facing toothed feed-bars carried thereby, said feedbars coacting to deliver to said feed-rollers; and suitable driving connections for said crank-shafts and feed-rollers, for the purpose specified.

16. The combination of a fire-box; a pair of feed-rollers supported in suitable bearings thereon adapted to deliver to said fire-box; a pivotally-supported hopper; a carrier arranged in said hopper arranged to deliver to said feed-rollers; and suitable driving connections, for the purpose specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

ARNOLD E. WOODMANSEE.

Witnesses:

E. P. SOUTHARD, ILA N. MOORE. 

